Hemlock: Robert Watkins was born January 19, 1918 in the Village of Natchez, in the parish of Natchitoches Louisiana. This area is a historic part of Louisiana, in that it is also the home of the oldest church founded in 1803 for and by the Creole people of which his mother belonged. Robert was the only child of Eva Patterson and Johnny Watkins. After the untimely death of his mother, Robert was reared by his maternal uncle Cleveland Patterson.
In 1944 Robert married Rosa Mae Youngblood., daughter of Herbert Youngblood and Lucille Jones. That union produced 6 children.
Robert had heard stories from his friends about upstate New York, that it was a great place to live, work and rear children. Therefore he, Rosa Mae and a number of their children and family friends left Louisiana and headed for this “Promised Land”. They followed the harvesting of crops north. The family was pushed from the south by prejudice and pulled to the north by the promise of employment. During the northward journey Robert and Rosa Mae had another son. Once in the north they expanded their family with the birth of 3 daughters. In the north Robert found employment as an auto mechanic. He purchased land and settled among the Finger Lakes.
Robert is predeceased by 2 sons; James Edward and Robert Jr. and a grandson, John. He is survived by daughters; Eva Mae, Anita, Sheila, Elizabeth, daughter in-law Diane and a son (E.J.). He is also survived by grandchildren; Ebonie, Jamall, Cordell, Brandon, Cheyenne, Shawn, Lynette, James Jr. and Sabrina as well as great grandchildren; LaQuasia, Trinity, Tyler, Taylor, LaMiyah, LaVaughn, Kani, Zaria and a host of friends.
After 95 years, in the morning of February 1, 2013 Robert quietly departed from this world. His family and friends will miss him endlessly.
Friends may call on Thursday, February 7, 2013 from 4pm-5:30pm at the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home Inc., 21 Big Tree Street, Rte 15&20A, Livonia, NY. Services will be held following calling at 5:30pm with Pastor Richard Hass officiating. To send a condolence and for further information please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
Robert,
You were always willing to help others and will be greatly missed.
To his family,
Sorry for your loss. He was one of the most giving people I have had the opportunity to know. He was a great man.
Dad,
You will be greatly missed. Your son-in-law Tony who only knew you for a short time enjoyed speaking with you and learning things that you would share with him. When I would come to visit you and Mom you would usually be outside but you always would stop what you were doing to come inside and spend time with me. I was and am always proud to be your daughter and to have you as my beloved father. You would take the time to ask about my family and to wish them all well and for that you are a great man with compassion and kindness for others no matter their background. You never looked down on anyone or made anyone feel less than than are and for that you will be forever blessed and remain in our hearts forever. Rest in peace, Mr & Mrs Tony & Sheila Barron
Bob,
You will be missed. The last time that I stopped by your house, of course you were in the garage working. At the time it was a tractor. You were always in that garage helping someone get their wheels working again. You had a great compassion to help others doing what ever you could. You taught me many things through the years working on my clunkers. Changing the engine in my 82 olds and assisting with some transmission problems. You loved working on transmissions until the slushboxes got computer controlled. Many of hours we spent wrenching on things, talking about your time driving trucks in the Army and my time in the Navy. You didn’t have it easy, but it was a very fulfilling life you had. You inspired me to do my best and help people with the gifts that God gave me. I like yourself am a mechanic. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you in my life. I salute you Bob.
Rosa Mae,
You and your family will be in our prayers and we will be thinking about you.
Your friend
Jason Farley
I was very moved in reading about your beloved father. Truly a man who cherished his family and put them first. I am sure he was extremely proud of all of you. May all the gifts that were his “being” remain with you and comfort you when you are most in need.